Chapter 38: Pre-Battle Preparations (Bonus Chapter for 500 Collections + Recommendation Votes)

"This nest of ratmen is called the Liezhua Clan. Their original Warlord died in his bed one night. Afterward, the heads of the clan each took their confidants and set up their own shops. We analyzed that there might be one or two major clans behind this, fanning the flames," Qiangsen said.

Hearing this, the Dwarfs in the room started shouting,

"Rat-spawn! Always obsessed with infighting!"

"Nothing like us Sons of the Mountains, our blood bonds are unbreakable!"

"That kind of trash deserves to be called a clan? I think 'Shit-clan' is more appropriate!"

The conference room was filled with a joyful atmosphere; every Dwarf was mocking the endless infighting of their mortal enemies, the ratmen.

"Quiet, quiet!" Sinuoli had a headache from the noise of his clansmen. He reached out to signal everyone to stop and let Qiangsen continue.

"The Warlord was assassinated in the night. This might have been the work of Clan Eshin, but that's not important. And then?"

"Then, the Warlord's son took the few confidants loyal to him and tried to take revenge. But obviously, that little rat failed. His already meager forces suffered further losses. This time, he was driven directly out of his original rat nest, and it seems the clan's sorcerer also abandoned him to seek better prospects elsewhere."

Hearing this, the Dwarfs in the conference room burst into laughter once again. Nothing could evoke the Dwarfs' dark humor more than the embarrassing mishaps of the rats.

"Afterward, this group of remnants and homeless rats found an abandoned underground network from somewhere. After sacrificing a huge number of Slave Rats, they finally cleared it, leading all the way to the underside of Karak-Varn."

Qiangsen paused to catch his breath here; it was still quite strenuous for him to speak so much with his booming voice.

"Then they started fighting with the Greenskins in the city?" Sinuoli took over.

"You are right, respected Chosen of the Goddess! They thought they could escape to heaven this time, but they didn't expect to crawl right into the crotch of the Greenskins! Their food is already running low; they've even started cannibalizing their own kind! That group of Slave Rats we encountered in the tunnel must have been fleeing because they didn't want to be eaten!"

Sinuoli nodded; Qiangsen's deduction matched his own.

"The situation is roughly like this. The Greenskins in the city cannot bear being attacked from both front and rear, so they will definitely find a way to change the status quo. It is almost impossible for them to choose to go underground to fight the rats; firstly, the gains are too small, and secondly, cavalry is hard to maneuver underground. That would be no different from asking pointy-eared things to do blacksmithing!"

"Therefore, I judge that their gathering of troops is highly likely an attempt to break out down the mountain, and our outpost is stuck on the only mountain road." Sinuoli's analysis made the Dwarfs present nod frequently.

Gold Seeker stroked his long beard, "So if that filthy thing in charge hasn't had its brain stuffed with muscle, it must fight us head-on! Otherwise, I and my Miners will show them what it means to be elusive!"

The Dwarfs present all expressed deep agreement with this. Hearing this, Gelunsen spoke up, "Then we shall form up at the foot of the mountain relying on our fortifications and have a real fight with them! Tell those filthy Greenskins that our mountains are not a place they can come and go as they please!"

"In the name of Grimnir! In the name of the Ancestors!" The Dwarfs in the conference room cheered.

"Dismissed! The formation will follow the standard procedure! I will take the elite troops to hold the front, and the warriors will form up behind me. The Miner units will protect our flanks!" Gelunsen said simply.

"Understood, my lads and I will greet those blind fools with Thunder Tubes and mining picks!"

"Sinuoli, you take your people and stand in the rear with the ranged units!" Gelunsen continued.

"That won't do! I want to..." Sinuoli argued.

"Listen to me, brother. Protecting the ranged units is also a critical task! The enemy will definitely try to use cavalry to sneak attack our Nuxhou, gunners, and precious bolt throwers!" Gelunsen stopped him from continuing.

"They aren't stupid either. It will be hard for me and my men to stop them completely! Whether we can protect our clansmen depends on you! This is the key to our victory."

Hearing this, Sinuoli had no choice but to nod in agreement; he knew this was indeed the truth.

"Then it's settled! We assemble and set off tomorrow morning! May the Ancestor Gods protect us!" Gelunsen made the final statement.

The Dwarfs present left the table one by one; they had to go back to conduct pre-battle mobilization and organize their equipment. Sinuoli had no such task, so he returned to his quarters.

At night, Sinuoli tossed and turned, unable to sleep because of the coming war. This was his first time participating in a battle since he transmigrated, and even knowing his side held the upper hand, he was still a bit nervous.

The battlefield changes in an instant; no one knows what will happen, and no one knows how many faces that smiled at dinner will return to the embrace of the Ancestors tomorrow.

"Are you still awake? Master Sinuoli." Gelunsen's voice sounded from outside the door.

"Yes, excuse me for the sight, Elder." Sinuoli lay on the bed and answered slowly.

"No need to feel guilty for your nervousness, child." Gelunsen said.

"It is a good thing to have awe for war and for the possibility of death. Do you think we—the Eternal Hammer Guard—would not be afraid or nervous?"

"Isn't that the case?" Sinuoli asked. In his memory, this iron army was almost synonymous with fearlessness and victory.

"Hahaha, of course we would! We are not facing just a few simple rats. There are disgusting, twisted, and nauseating Chaos monstrosities, Greenskin Warlords who can hack four or five clansmen in two with one axe. And some pointy-eared things riding Dragons!" Sinuoli could hear the gravity in the old Dwarf's tone.

"To tell you the truth, I am old, and I think too much. Many times I have to rely on the effect of alcohol to fall asleep!" Gelunsen's tone grew deeper.

"But when I get up the next day, I am still that Captain of the Eternal Hammer. As long as courage and oaths can overcome those fears and nervousness, everything will be fine!" The old Dwarf suddenly raised his tone.

"Know that on the battlefield, all we can rely on is the Warhammer in our hands and the comrades by our sides! Well, perhaps for you, there is also the protection of the Ancestor Goddess." Gelunsen continued,

"The clansmen fight for you, and you must also fight for the clansmen. So-called loyalty is mutual, and courage also comes from encouraging each other! I will give you advice from a veteran: as a commander, no matter what you face, you cannot show weakness! If even you are afraid, how can you demand anything from the clansmen beside you?" Gelunsen said earnestly.

"I understand, Elder! You need not question my courage!" Sinuoli replied,

"That goes without saying! You earned the Goddess's divine favor through your brave performance; which Dwarf in the entire Mountain Kingdom doesn't know this! It's just, don't blame me for being a busybody; I know some people become more protective of their lives after escaping death, so I was just a little worried..."

"Sleep! We have a war to fight tomorrow!" Facing the Longbeard's muttering, Sinuoli didn't know how to respond; he chose to greet the coming war in the best state possible.

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